Q-Squared in Policy: The Use of Qualitative and Quantitative Methods of Poverty Analysis in Decision-Making

This introductory essay for the journal Symposium presents an overview of issues related to ‘Q-Squared in Policy: the use of qualitative and quantitative methods of poverty analysis in decision-making’. We focus on issues raised on the supply side of data use, relating, inter alia to the informational content and policy usefulness of different types of data and analysis. These issues are grouped under the headings of: outcomes vs. processes, unpacking processes and thick and thin. We begin however, with a brief discussion of one aspect of the demand side, namely the politics of data use, given its centrality to the issues at hand.poverty, methods, mixed method research, policy process, methodological pluralism, impact assessment, International Relations/Trade, Political Economy,

Q-Squared in Policy: The Use of Qualitative and Quantitative Methods of Poverty Analysis in Decision-Making

WP 2009-04 January 2009This introductory essay for the journal Symposium presents an overview of issues related to ‘Q-Squared in Policy: the use of qualitative and quantitative methods of poverty analysis in decision-making’. We focus on issues raised on the supply side of data use, relating, inter alia to the informational content and policy usefulness of different types of data and analysis. These issues are grouped under the headings of: outcomes vs. processes, unpacking processes and thick and thin. We begin however, with a brief discussion of one aspect of the demand side, namely the politics of data use, given its centrality to the issues at hand

Expanding social protection opportunities for older people in Ghana : a case for strengthening traditional family systems and community institutions

The need to augment social protection arrangements to safeguard the wellbeing of older people now extends to societies beyond the borders of the welfare states of Europe. However, the emphasis seems to be on formal systems of support, with little attention paid to the extent to which the traditional family system and community structures could be enhanced to support this process. This study examines the relevance of the traditional family and community structures in providing social protection for older people using both quantitative and qualitative data. It is clear that the traditional family and community-based support arrangements remain a useful and reliable option for care and support of older people even if they are inadequate in some respects. We suggest that the traditional family system and community structures be strengthened through collaborative efforts of government and civil society for optimum social protection delivery for older people

From Prejudice to Prestige: Vocational Education and Training in Ghana

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) plays a key role in Ghana’s economic and social development. Higher skills levels are required to boost productivity, underpin economic growth, and create opportunities for individuals. TVET is, however, poorly perceived in Ghana, often being seen as the reserve option for those unable to achieve the grades to enter into higher education. This has traditionally limited the numbers of young people going into vocational training, the funding for the sector and the quality of provision. Unless TVET begins to be seen as the important component of economic and social development that it is, a lack of skills will ultimately have serious consequences for Ghana’s economy. It is crucial, therefore, to understand the nature and dimensions of attitudes towards and perceptions of vocational education and training in Ghana, in order to develop interventions that will enhance TVET delivery, acceptance and market worth. With these issues in mind, the City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development (UK) and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET – Ghana) approached the Centre for Social Policy Studies from the University of Ghana to conduct this research. The report explores the attitudes of key stakeholders, including learners, graduates, employers, trainers, parents and policy makers, towards TVET in Ghana and provides recommendations for policy makers to attempt to address some of the key issues facing the sector

Choosing an apprenticeship : skills preferences amongst the youth

Young people leaving basic education with no opportunities of continuing on to the next level of education often face a tough choice of what to do next. There are a variety of issues that pose challenges for them, not least being what trajectory to pursue in their quest for skills training for employment. This article examines the precursors to skills choices among young people, using qualitative data from trainees engaging in both informal apprenticeships and formal and vocational training institutions in Ghana. The analysis adopted an inductive approach, using a thematic analytical framework to generate insights and uncover the factors that shape them. The findings show that there is interplay of several factors that influence the skills preferences of young people in vocational education, including the family context, socio-cultural environment and the presence of role models within specific trades. The paper concludes that, in harmonising the frontiers of skills training, it is imperative for policy to provide systematic career guidance and counselling paths for trainees in both formal and informal apprenticeship training institutions, in order to enhance their skills choices

Governance of non-state social protection services in Ghana : communication as an accountability mechanism in mutual aid organisations in Wassa

The performance of mutual organisations relies on factors such as membership contributions, commitment to support each other, and their governance system (Bassett et al., 2012). Most community-based mutual organisations have loose and usually lateral reporting structures. This chapter posits that a non-hierarchical structure does not pose a threat to mutual organisations’ survival or effective governance, because the underpinning principles of mutuality and trust hold individuals in the group together. This study examines the governance patterns of mutual organisations that provide SP services in the Western Region of Ghana

Q-Squared in Policy: The Use of Qualitative and Quantitative Methods of Poverty Analysis in Decision-Making

This introductory essay for the journal Symposium presents an overview of issues related to ‘Q-Squared in Policy: the use of qualitative and quantitative methods of poverty analysis in decision-making’. We focus on issues raised on the supply side of data use, relating, inter alia to the informational content and policy usefulness of different types of data and analysis. These issues are grouped under the headings of: outcomes vs. processes, unpacking processes and thick and thin. We begin however, with a brief discussion of one aspect of the demand side, namely the politics of data use, given its centrality to the issues at hand

Girls in Mining in Ghana: Surviving Without Flourishing

Child labour is endemic in Africa and remains one of the biggest challenges facing Ghana. Child labour, by definition in Ghana’s Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) refers to (harmful) work by children below the age of 18 years. Yet for many children and their families, child labour is a very important coping mechanism that helps them to fight poverty. Some scholars are beginning to soften their hardline stance on child labour, suggesting that many working children have successfully completed school. This report shares findings on an exploratory study of 165 girls under 18 years working in artisanal gold mines in Akwatia in the Eastern Region and Tarkwa in the Western Region in Ghana. Descriptive statistics from the study revealed that the majority of girls in mining were able to support themselves financially but simply could not cope with regular school, to be able to make positive advancements in their social development. Thus the girls were able to survive but could hardly flourish under the circumstances. Thus the observation that it is possible to successfully combine school and work among children therefore is subject to the conditions under which this occurs, and requires further field study

Where Should We Stay? Exploring the Options of Caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Ghana

This study provides an insight into care arrangements for orphan and vulnerable children in Ghana. It is an investigatory study using a mixed research method. Data was collected from 2, 100 households across 7 regions of Ghana and 36 institutional homes. It is evident that, there are a number of care arrangements available to orphan and vulnerable children in the country which are broadly categorized under institutional, community-based, and family/household care arrangements. Each of these care arrangements also has other sub-types depending on mode of operation. Institutional homes were most prominent followed by fosterage, adoption and house helps. Only one community-based OVC care arrangement was identified. These care arrangements provided all manner of care services to OVC, including education, food, health, socio-emotional and recreational care services; yet, there are obvious situations of lack of capacity and adherence to guidelines and regulations. Issues related to resources for home-based care were pronounced. It is therefore imperative that the situation of orphans and vulnerable children be carefully reconsidered. The capacity of the Department of Social Welfare comes to the fore in the quest to redefined care arrangements for OVC. Nonetheless, the debate on care arrangements for OVC lies in the adoption of a more. comprehensive regulatory system with consideration for home-based care arrangements including fosterage and adoption